'X-Men' given motion comic treatment

Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men is to be released as a motion comic book, publisher Marvel has announced.

Following the successful debut of the Spider-Woman motion comic last month, the firm is moving ahead with plans to bring the mutant saga to iTunes in October. A trailer for the book is now available via the download service.

"Marvel is proud to unveil the first full-length trailer to the hotly-anticipated Astonishing X-Men: Gifted motion comic, based on the seminal comic story by superstar scribe Joss Whedon and renowned artist John Cassaday," read a statement.

"Now you can get your first look at Marvel's newest original motion comic as the X-Men embark on a bold new mission."

Whedon, who has also worked as head writer on Firefly and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, concluded his 28-issue run on the comic in 2008, when he passed the torch on to Warren Ellis.